Mary Catherine Tinney

Mary Catherine Tinney (15 February 1924 – 22 November 2006) was the Irish ambassador to Sweden from 1973 to 1978, and was Ireland's first female ambassador. This was the first time a woman was appointed as a full Irish ambassador. From to Josephine McNeill had served as head of the Irish delegation in Bern, Switzerland, with the title of minister but did not hold ambassadorial rank. Tinney went on to serve as Ambassador to Belgium and the European Community, from November 1978 to 1984, and from November 1985 to 1987 to Nairobi in Kenya, with co-accreditation to Tanzania and Zambia. While Tinney was stationed at Nairobi, the embassy was closed.

Personal life Tinney was a skilled pianist, and used to host regular music evenings in her ambassadorial residences. She was also a keen golfer and a bridge enthusiast.